A tragic tanker explosion on Christmas Day has claimed the lives of two people along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, casting a shadow over what should have been a period of celebration for families and residents in the area. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, involved a diesel-laden tanker and was blamed on speeding, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the explosion happened at the Oto–Ijanikin axis of the expressway, close to the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), inward Agbara. He said the tanker involved was a Mack Truck conveying diesel.
According to Bakare-Oki, preliminary investigations showed that the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle while trying to overtake another road user at high speed. The tanker crashed and immediately burst into flames.
“The vehicle subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging inferno, tragically trapping and claiming the lives of the driver and an adult female occupant,” Bakare-Oki said in a statement.
Eyewitnesses in the area described the explosion as loud and frightening, with thick flames and smoke rising into the air. Many residents and early morning commuters were forced to stop and keep a safe distance as the fire spread quickly due to the highly flammable diesel being transported by the tanker.
LASTMA officials who were already on duty along the busy expressway responded immediately to the incident. Bakare-Oki said the agency’s personnel swiftly secured and cordoned off the affected section of the road to prevent further accidents and protect other road users.
“Personnel of the agency, who were actively monitoring and managing vehicular movement within the corridor, swiftly secured and cordoned off the affected stretch of the expressway to forestall secondary incidents,” he said.
He added that emergency agencies were promptly alerted to handle the situation. These included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ojo Unit; the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); and the Nigeria Police, Ijanikin Division.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before it was brought under control. The presence of diesel made the fire difficult to contain, increasing the risk to both emergency responders and members of the public.
Bakare-Oki also revealed that LASTMA officials prevented a potentially more dangerous situation at the scene. According to him, some members of the public had gathered with containers, attempting to scoop the spilled diesel.
“In a further demonstration of vigilance and unwavering commitment to public safety, LASTMA operatives prevented members of the public who had converged on the scene with assorted containers from scooping the spilled diesel,” he said.
He warned that such actions are extremely dangerous and could easily lead to further explosions and loss of lives.
“This is an extremely hazardous act capable of triggering further explosions and avoidable fatalities,” he added.
The intervention by LASTMA officials helped prevent the tragedy from escalating before other emergency and security agencies arrived at the scene.
After the fire was successfully extinguished and the area declared safe by relevant authorities, the burnt tanker was evacuated from the expressway by LASTMA personnel. The remains of the victims were removed by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Bakare-Oki expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He described the accident as painful and completely avoidable.
“This incident is deeply painful and entirely avoidable,” he said, reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring road safety across Lagos State.
The Lagos–Badagry Expressway is one of the busiest roads in the state, serving as a major link between Lagos and neighbouring communities, including Badagry and parts of Ogun State. The road is often used by heavy-duty vehicles, including tankers and articulated trucks transporting fuel and other goods.
Over the years, there have been repeated concerns about the safety of tanker operations on major roads in Lagos. Accidents involving fuel tankers have often resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and traffic disruptions. Many of these incidents have been linked to speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, and reckless driving.
The Christmas Day explosion has again drawn attention to the dangers posed by speeding and unsafe driving, especially by drivers of heavy vehicles. Bakare-Oki stressed the need for tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to exercise greater caution on the roads.
He urged drivers to obey speed limits and comply strictly with traffic rules, noting that reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in Lagos.
“Reckless driving and speeding remain dominant factors in fatal road traffic crashes across the metropolis,” he said.
Road safety advocates have also called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and regular training for tanker drivers. They argue that fuel tankers should be subjected to higher safety standards due to the risks they pose when accidents occur.
The incident also highlights the dangers of crowding accident scenes, especially when fuel is involved. Authorities have repeatedly warned residents against attempting to scoop fuel from fallen tankers, as such actions often lead to explosions and mass casualties.
In recent years, Lagos State has intensified efforts to improve traffic management and emergency response through agencies such as LASTMA, FRSC, and the state fire service. These agencies work together to reduce accidents, manage traffic flow, and respond quickly to emergencies.
Despite these efforts, road accidents remain a major challenge, particularly during festive periods when traffic volume increases and some drivers become careless.